Tips for high handicappers to speed up our round.

[delc]

Pretty confident del was only having some light hearted forum banter

I did put a smiley at the end of my post. Basically don't faff around or copy the antics of the tour players, especially on the greens. Just miss them quickly. That way you will put less pressure on yourselves and probably putt better as a result.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Make sure you get custom fitted for all your equipment, you'll play better golf which leads to fewer shots and ultimately faster golf :thup:

 

[jonny1409]

If you are falling behind just play a bit quicker. Sounds daft I know but calling people though invariably slows things down for the rest of the field even more. Much better to catch up. You do that by taking on all the advice above, walking a bit faster, chatting a bit less until you are back where you should be.

This is good advice.
When you let a group through it simply slows it down further as you have to wait for them to play through, then invariably by that time, the next group are behind you etc.

Also, when we play we do the following:

1. Nobody has honour on the tee so whoever is ready first drives off. If people are so precious about having the honour then they need to grow up and get over it!
2. Get ready to hit your ball whilst others are hitting their shots (as long as it's safe)

Doing this will speed up your round no end.

 

[apj0524]

Actually id say as i have improved i have got a little slower. I think a little more thought from a high handicap would pay dividends.

e.g if a poor drive on a 400 yard hole has left 280 yards to go from the rough, dont pull the 3 wood and try to get it as far as possible as this often ends up another poor shot.
my own personal rule from the thick rough is never take more than a 7 iron, which will get me back in play and often leave only a mid to short iron in to the green, with a chance of par or 2 putt bogey.

Its comforting to find some else has a similar view, tried miracle shots but my talent doesn't do miracles !!!

 

[two-clubs]

Most things have been covered above but I'd add one thing - walk quickly, or at least briskly, between shots. This at least indicates that you're aware of people behind you. It's very frustrating to be stood on a tee waiting and seeing a group amble up the fairway in front of you with seemingly no idea that you're there.

I (personally) wouldn't take much notice of this - I can think of nothing worse than having to play golf at a speed you're not comfortable with just to please somebody else.

As too walking briskly between shots, I don't, I play my shot and walk at a normal speed without delay, if others don't like that then hard luck, Im out to enjoy myself as much as they are. If they want to rush then thats fine but don't try and make me rush as it won't work and they won't be coming through anytime soon.

I'm with you on this. One important point though is as Dellboy points out 'walk at a normal speed without delay'

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Don't mark your balls on the green unless it is necessary.

This is an important one - I see a lot of time being spent on marking balls closer than 3ft and all the faffing about that subsquently entails. It's a friendly knock. When you get inside 3ft just ask if you can finish off. Yes - avoid standing on other players line if that's easy to do - but to be honest we make a lot of unnecessary noise and fuss about not standing on anothers line and it isn't going to make a lot of difference anyway.

 

[duncan mackie]

only mark your ball initially you get to the green if it's in the way or needs cleaning - after that once someone's started putting they finish up.

new players and higher handicaps can both spend huge amounts of time on the greens marking balls, moving markers, holding discussions about who's put it is and putting with contorted antics that have more place in a game of Twister than trying to avoid the cardinal sin of standing on someones line! I have news - someones already stood on it just a few moments ago; on most greens at this time of year just tread carefully and get on with it!!!

actually this probably applies to a lot more than just the target groups listed...

edit - swing's it has posted at the same time.... :thup:

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

only mark your ball initially you get to the green if it's in the way or needs cleaning - after that once someone's started putting they finish up.

new players and higher handicaps can both spend huge amounts of time on the greens marking balls, moving markers, holding discussions about who's put it is and putting with contorted antics that have more place in a game of Twister than trying to avoid the cardinal sin of standing on someones line! I have news - someones already stood on it just a few moments ago; on most greens at this time of year just tread carefully and get on with it!!!

actually this probably applies to a lot more than just the target groups listed...

edit - swing's it has posted at the same time.... :thup:

yup - and in total agreement as well.

 

[Hacker Khan]

To quote from someone a lot cleverer than me, the opposite of slow play is not fast play but smart play. I think you've had all the good advice you need on here, just play with common sense. Hit when ready off the tee, don't all the group walk from one players ball to the next down the fairway but trot on to your ball (as long as you are not putting anyone off), be ready to hit, don't spent ages lining up a put when it is for an 8 etc etc. All that is nothing to do with handicap levels but more common sense, plenty of low handicappers don't follow it.

I suspect the biggest issue with high handicappers is the amount of time you will be looking for a ball that's not on the fairway. So in that regards, as others have said, try and ensure you all keep an eye on errant shots. And if you are looking for one then probably play your shot, then go and help in the search, so when it is found everyone is ready to move on instead of another few minutes where everyone walks to their ball and has to play their shots.

 

[Hacker Khan]

only mark your ball initially you get to the green if it's in the way or needs cleaning - after that once someone's started putting they finish up.

new players and higher handicaps can both spend huge amounts of time on the greens marking balls, moving markers, holding discussions about who's put it is and putting with contorted antics that have more place in a game of Twister than trying to avoid the cardinal sin of standing on someones line! I have news - someones already stood on it just a few moments ago; on most greens at this time of year just tread carefully and get on with it!!!

actually this probably applies to a lot more than just the target groups listed...

edit - swing's it has posted at the same time.... :thup:

here here, wise words.

 

[ADB]

Take a good line on any shots finishing off the fairway - pick a point beyond where you think your shot landed (a landmark, tree, building) and follow that to the point where you think your ball is. Also, be sensible about who looks for a lost ball - consider your position on the course before going to help. You may want to play first then help look for a partners ball.

 

[c1973]

Wear trainer style golf shoes and run between shots.

 

[Lydo]

Thanks for all the advice, much appreciated. I'm going to have a word with the group about this before the round 2morro and hopefully we can have a less stressful round. I'm going to have a word with the group behind too, to make sure they give up plenty of time before they tee off, that way we'll get a bit of a head start. Thanks again.

 

[duncan mackie]

I'm going to have a word with the group behind too, to make sure they give up plenty of time before they tee off, that way we'll get a bit of a head start. Thanks again.

At 7 minute intervals you are going to have a 'packed course' - I am afraid you are just going to have to get used to it. The group behind are going to feel pressured by the ones behind them so there's no real point in involving them - they will simply play when the course users expect them to.

Don't get me wrong, I personally hate it - to the extent that I frequently end up in discussions with playing partners if they start to exhibit behaviors that will create space in front, and have the group behind waiting! Sometimes it's just going to happen.

The only real long term option is the expensive one where you pay for the privilege of playing at the speed you want with no-one else on the course

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Don't use aimpoint

The best advice is just be ready to play when it's your turn but also be prepared to play out of turn if needed.

The thread is perfect advice and hope you continue to enjoy the game

 

[williamalex1]

Keep up with the game in front, leave your bags at the correct side of the green, don't mark your cards on the green, be ready to play when its your turn.:fore:

 

[Fish]

I've witnessed people being called down & through and it achieving nothing because that group calling the group behind through stand and wave them down only to watch them hit again through them and whilst they wait for them to get out of range with their 2nd or 3rd shorts the next group are on the tee and the problem is duplicated!

When calling a group down or through, once they have driven off or taken their shots, take your shots and play up whilst they are walking down, that way when the group being called through have taken their 2nd shots you have a gap for the next group who were behind them to tee off without the course backing up.

If you know what I mean, I do

 

[chellie]

I've witnessed people being called down & through and it achieving nothing because that group calling the group behind through stand and wave them down only to watch them hit again through them and whilst they wait for them to get out of range with their 2nd or 3rd shorts the next group are on the tee and the problem is duplicated!

When calling a group down or through, once they have driven off or taken their shots, take your shots and play up whilst they are walking down, that way when the group being called through have taken their 2nd shots you have a gap for the next group who were behind them to tee off without the course backing up.

If you know what I mean, I do

That's what we do as well. Alos, the other thing to do if possible is to go out later when the cousre is less busy.

 

[bobmac]

From the R&A website

If you think your ball may be lost outside a water hazard or is out of bounds, to save time, play a provisional ball. Players searching for a ball should signal the players in the group behind them to play through as soon as it becomes apparent that the ball will not easily be found.They shouldn't search for five minutes before doing so. Having allowed the group behind to play through, they shouldn't continue play until the group coming through has passed and is out of range.

 

[Dave B]

Pick your tee times.

My local is generally deserted on Sunday afternoons particularly around lunch time, so go shopping with the wife or do some gardening in the morning and play in the afternoon. Monday and Tuesday nights are also good times to play. Most courses have patterns and there's nothing better than playing millionaires golf on a deserted course by a little bit of foresight and planning.